Honda announces new technologies and plans for hybrid and electric vehicles

In parallel with the development of its next-generation e:HEV system, the brand is completely renewing its existing mid-size platform for hybrid-electric vehicles.

According to the statement made by the brand, the meeting also introduced next-generation technologies planned for use in Honda's future hybrid-electric vehicles. Honda had previously announced a carbon neutrality goal for all its products and corporate activities by 2050.

As part of the electrification process, the company also aims for battery electric and fuel cell electric vehicles to account for 100 percent of its global new vehicle sales by 2040. The brand's medium and long-term plans, which point to a period of widespread adoption of electric vehicles after 2025, are progressing in this direction.

TWO-MOTOR HYBRID SYSTEM

During this transformation process, the development of hybrid vehicles, for which demand is rising, will continue. Equipped with Honda's e:HEV technology, hybrid-electric vehicles provide fuel economy and an enjoyable driving performance with a powerful traction motor, thanks to the highly efficient two-motor hybrid system.

HONDA'S ELECTRIC VEHICLE PLANS

Honda aims to bring new and more exciting hybrid-electric vehicles to consumers by further developing the strengths of e:HEV technology. In this context, efforts are underway to reach Honda's global annual hybrid-electric vehicle sales target of 1.3 million units by 2030.

Honda stands out with its 25-year deep-rooted history in the hybrid-electric field, which began with the introduction of the Insight model in 1999. Continuing to develop technology for hybrid-electric vehicles during this process, Honda is also working to reduce production costs with key components such as batteries, power control units, and motors.

In line with this, while partnerships are being signed in various fields, measures such as establishing a local production system and using common parts across different models are being taken. Compared to each hybrid-electric model it launched in 2018, Honda aims to reduce the cost of the next-generation hybrid-electric vehicles it will launch in 2027 by up to 50 percent.

E:HEV SYSTEM

The e:HEV system, which is of great importance for Honda's transition period to electric vehicles, ensures highly efficient driving in all conditions by seamlessly and automatically switching between driving modes.

"EV Drive Mode", "Hybrid Drive Mode", and the "Engine Drive Mode" unique to "Honda e:HEV" offer a journey that is both environmentally friendly and enjoyable. In the next-generation e:HEV system, component parts and control technology, including the engine and drive unit, are being renewed in both the small-displacement system (1.5-liter engine) and the mid-displacement system (2.0-liter engine).

- EV Drive: A fully electric driving experience using energy only from the battery.

- Hybrid Drive: A mode that provides both power and efficiency as the engine generates electricity.

- Engine Drive: The engine connects directly to the wheels to provide efficiency at high speeds.

In this context, completely new 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter direct-injection Atkinson-cycle engines will be combined with a front drive unit, an integrated cooling system, and a next-generation mid-size platform. The fuel economy of next-generation e:HEV models with the mid-displacement system is also targeted to be improved by over 10 percent compared to the first-generation 2-motor hybrid models.

The new 1.5-liter engine will provide a significant improvement in fuel economy by balancing engine speed with engine torque at a rate of over 40 percent compared to the current engine in the e:HEV system. With the improvements to be made, the aim is to increase the efficiency of engine performance in every driving mode.

In parallel with the development of its next-generation e:HEV system, Honda is completely renewing its existing mid-size platform for hybrid-electric vehicles. Accordingly, the body structure contributes to a 10 percent reduction in total vehicle weight compared to current Honda e:HEV models.

News Source: 12punto